Taos, NM

Taos was 20 miles up the road and had a Walmart for us to stock up. The town is an old village with plenty of gift shops, art galleries restaurants and more traffic than a person could imagine. Our first trip into town was on a holiday weekend which made the traffic understandable. The next trip was a Monday morning and things hadn't changed. We found a great coffee shop

across the street from the laundry mat and grabbed the last treat which happened to be a chocolate croissant. I usually don't eat croissants but that one could have changed my thoughts on that.

Taos Pueblo UNESCO site

 

There is a UNESCO World Heritage site on  the Taos Pueblo that we needed to check out. For $16 per person you can get a guided tour with a person that lives on the reservation. Even though it was still morning, the sun was heating up. Rather than listen to the stories for 1 1/2 hours in the sun, we did a quick look around and headed into town. I decided to read about the Pueblo online.

Earthships

An Earthship is a type of passive solar house that is made of both natural and upcycled materials such as earth-packed tires.

 

The Earthship  concept began to take shape in the 1970s. The architect wanted to create a home that would do three things: first, it would utilize sustainable architecture, and material indigenous to the local area or recycled materials wherever possible; second, the homes would rely on natural energy sources and be independent from the “grid”; thirdly, it would be feasible for a person with no specialized construction skills to build. Eventually, the vision was transformed into the common U-shaped earth-filled tire homes seen today.

A person can pay $8 for a quick once around the visitor's center or purchase a guided 1 hour tour. We were good with a drive around the area. If you are interested, there are a few available for sale $250,000 or use AirB&B.

 

High Gorge Bridge

One of America’s highest and most famous bridges, the route 64 crossing of the Rio Grande near Taos, New Mexico.

There are several platforms that bend out from the roadway that allow pedestrians to stand several feet out into space - away from the comfort of the main railing and sidewalk - adding to the unease of being so high above the ground. The popularity of the span has also made it a regional suicide magnet with approximately 3 jumpers a year.  The sheer cliffs of the gorge make it an all day affair for the local fire and rescue teams to retrieve the bodies.

A little more Sierra Hermosa RV Park

Each evening was a show as the sunset. The light and changing color was entertainment for us as we sat by the fire. Sierra Hermosa RV Park was a great little place.

The red sky was reflecting on the mountain causing this.

Red River Canyon

We enjoyed our next trip to Red River which is slow 13 miles "up" the road which makes for a very nice 13 miles back down. Fortunately, it was a cool morning and the road was pleasantly shaded as we rode up between the steep canyon walls. There aren't a lot of people in Red River this time of year, known as the mud season. The time between summer and winter skiing.

The tarantulas are out in full force in the fall. 

 

We could have stayed longer but it is time to head down the road once again.